Spokane River Flows Meet Level 2 Drought Response

Spokane River levels have fallen below 1,000 cubic feet per second, leading to the implementation of Level 2 watering restrictions. Under these rules, residents must avoid outdoor watering between 10 a. m. and 6 p. m.

, limit watering to two days a week, and restrict total watering to two hours daily. Public Works Director Marlene Feist highlighted the significance of maintaining river flows for the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, a crucial drinking water source. The city’s Water Wise Spokane program, which provides free consultations, has saved over 344 million gallons of water since its inception. Spokane's summer water usage is four times the national average, with half of the aquifer's recharge originating from the Spokane River. The city encourages residents to adopt these practices to mitigate water scarcity.

In 2024 alone, strong community participation led to the conservation of 45. 5 million gallons of water. Adopting these measures is vital for long-term sustainability and resource management in the region.